Record 22,480 plug-in cars registered in the first half of 2017

There have been more electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered during the first half of 2017 than in any previous six-monthly period.

More than 22,400 plug-in models were registered between January and June 2017, a rise of 14.3 per cent on 2016 and 53.8 per cent up on the same period in 2015.
 
June was higher than all previous non-plate-change months with 4,405 new plug-in models sold during the month (33 per cent up on June 2016). Demand from private buyers has driven growth with 44.9 per cent more consumers choosing a plug-in hybrid or electric between January and June 2017, compared to the same period last year. 
            
The fully-electric Nissan LEAF was the UK’s best selling plug-in car in the first six months of 2017, while BMW’s plug-in hybrid 3-Series saloon was one of the year’s biggest growers, rising 79.9 per cent following its launch last year.

Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, said: “Month after month we’re seeing record levels of registrations, demonstrating that the public awareness and appetite for electric and plug-in vehicles is growing. They are fast becoming a serious consideration for an increasing number of motorists who are switching on to the cost-saving and environmental benefits of driving an electric car.

“With fully-electric cars able to go further than ever, and an increasing number of plug-in hybrids on the market offering motorists the best of both worlds, it is harder than ever to ignore the benefits these cars bring.”

Looking at plug-in registrations across the country, the West Midlands (2,704) Greater London (2,477) and Cambridgeshire (1,928) topped the list of regions with the highest uptake. Greater London also saw the biggest year on year increase in counties registering more than 1,000 plug-in vehicles, with registrations up 68.6 per cent on the first half of 2016.